Logue wows foes en route to Amateur crown

Isaiah Logue reacts after sinking a birdie putt on the final hole. The 17-year-old, who is the reigning PIAA Class AA state champ, won in his first York County Amateur Championship. He had a two-day tally of 136 eight strokes under par. (John A. Pavoncello photo)

WEIGELSTOWN -- Accurate. Long. Straight. Smart.

All of those words were used to describe Fairfield High School rising senior Isaiah Logue this weekend at the Quality Digital Office Technology York County Amateur Championship at Grandview Golf Course.

One more word can be added to that list after the conclusion of the York County Amateur Golf Association's two-day event -- champion.

The reigning PIAA Class AA state champion played brilliantly in his first York County Amateur to easily best the field of top local golfers. Logue, who shot a 6-under 66 Saturday, captured the event with a two-day tally of 136 -- eight strokes under par. He fired a 2-under 70 on Sunday.

Logue was five strokes ahead of runner-up Bobby Stiffler, who shot 141 over the two days. Both T.J. Ostrom, the winner of the past two York County Amateurs, and Dan Wolfe finished at even par to tie for third place with 144s. There was a four-way tie for fifth among Brett Berkheimer, John Lowder Jr., Mike Stackus and Todd Waltemyer at 1-over 145.

"Today I played solid," Logue said. "I hit fairways and greens, but just didn't make as many putts as I did (Saturday). In the end it turned out all right."

It was clear to everyone that watched his play over the two days that there's something special about Logue.

"He's accurate and long for being 17," said YCAGA executive director Dave Bennett. "He looks and plays much older than 17. And to keep his head, especially today for the second round. One day you can get hot and all players hit hot streaks, but he held it together. So you have to say ... an all-round good game."

Logue agreed.

"Anyone can shoot a great round," he said. "You just have to stay on your toes the whole day and stay ahead of them."

The Mountain View Golf Course member entered Sunday's final day of the event with a two-stroke edge on Stiffler and wasted little time growing that advantage. The Liberty University-bound golfer completed back-to-back birdies on No. 2 and No. 3 to move to 8-under. Stiffer, conversely, took a bogey on No. 2 to fall five back.

Ostrom, who has kept busy with the birth of his son seven weeks ago, was impressed by what he saw from Logue. It was the first time either Stiffler or Ostrom had a chance to play with him. They were part of the event's final threesome of the day.

"It was great to play with a younger guy," Ostrom said. "We haven't seen too many of them around lately."

The title was all but decided by the time the final three stepped up to the tee on No. 18. Logue held a four-stroke lead on Stiffler. Fans flocked around the final green to capture a glimpse of 6-foot-2 phenom.

"You had everybody out there," Bennett said of the crowd of around 60 that watched the final hole. "It's good to see a young player play like that."

The next question on everyone's mind after the event was whether there was a chance the Green Knight senior would play for York in the War of the Roses come late September.

With the current points system in effect, the only way Logue would be allowed to participate against Lancaster would be as a captain's pick. Bennett identified Gary Sutton and Wayne Jacobs as the captains for this year's York team. He also confirmed that they can select two golfers as well as one alternate for the event, regardless of point totals.